Colin Edwards has announced he is close to inking a deal with Tech3 Yamaha to stay on for the 2010 MotoGP season. With today’s announcement of Ben Spies staying in World Superbike for next year, the prospect of possibly two seats at the most sought-after satellite team has surely gotten the silly season gears turning.

However, it would seem at least one of those seats will be retained, if not both of them. Edwards, the straight-talker that he is, has confirmed that he and Herve Poncharal are close to renewing his contract for 2010.

“Yamaha wants to keep me,” Edwards stated. “It is just a matter of me and Herve coming to an agreement and we are pretty much there. As regards a team-mate I don’t know yet, we’ll see what the scenario is there.”

Edwards is of course referring to teammate James Toseland, who has struggled more this season. Toseland has been rumored to be headed back to WSBK, linked with the Ten Kate team. Jocking for Toseland’s seat is Chirstopher Vermeulen, who was ousted from Rizla Suzuki by Alvaro Bautista, and Randy de Puniet who has also been rumored to be looking at the French team.

Edwards was 6th in Free Practice at Misano today, Toseland finished the day 9th.